Armstrong Atlantic State University's police department will participate in the National Take-Back Initiative throughout April.

The initiative, sponsored by the United States Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration, provides a way for people to dispose of expired prescription drugs.

"It's an important effort because so many teenagers abuse prescription drugs," said Wynn Sullivan, the university's deputy chief of police. "So if you're not using the drugs that are in your medicine cabinet, get rid of them in the safest manner."

Too often, Sullivan said, people will flush prescription drugs down the toilet or ground them up and mix them with cat litter before throwing them away. The DEA will incinerate the drugs instead.

In October, the last time Armstrong's police department participated in the take-back initiative, Sullivan said, they took in about 250 pounds of unused prescription medication.

"We had an elderly woman ride the bus from downtown Savannah, and she was so happy she could do her part to keep medicine out of the hands of people who didn't need it," Sullivan said.

"...We even had a retirement facility bringing in medication from their residents that was no longer being used," she said.

Savannah-area residents may drop off their unwanted prescription medication 24 hours a day inside the police department at the corner of Arts and Library drives on Armstrong's campus at 11935 Abercorn Street.

All drugs collected will be destroyed by the DEA. Drugs may be in or out of containers. Needles will not be accepted. For additional information, call Armstrong police at 912-344-3333.